Marcus Shaw Palo Verde High School student, 17, is a suspect in a school arson case

The sixth Palo Verde High School student charged in a case that involves arson committed against a private religious school was denied release Monday from the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center.

Juvenile Court Judge William Voy said that before he makes a decision, Marcus Shaw, 17, will have to undergo the same evaluations and background checks that probation officials performed on the five other suspects who were arrested on Nov. 23.

"I previously ordered and said that we'll do this case just as we do other serious cases," Voy said. "I'll get the results and make my decision."

Shaw, who was a varsity football player this year, was taken into custody by arson investigators Friday and spent the weekend in lockup.

His arrest concluded a four-month investigation by local and federal law enforcement agents into firebombs used to inflict minor damage at Faith Lutheran Junior/Senior High School and Summerlin's Trails Park.

Prosecutor Michael O'Callaghan opposed Shaw's release and argued that the seriousness of the arson charges is undiminished by the fact that the damage was not significant.

"Well the reason there was minimal damage was because the kids forgot to add one element," O'Callaghan said of the Molotov cocktails used in the crimes. "If that element had been there, there would have been a major fire."

Shaw's attorney, public defender Michael Yohay, argued that Shaw has no prior criminal history and faces fewer charges than the other suspects.

"He's less involved than all these other people, at least," Yohay said.

Shaw's football teammates J.D. Buonantony, Travis Skochenko, Ryan Patterson and Rashan Lawrence were arrested just days before the Panthers were to compete in a state championship semifinal. Palo Verde was shut out by Galena High School 35-0.

Palo Verde junior Robert Funk also is charged in the case.

Only Buonantony and Lawrence have been named in all four incidents of arson. The first five juveniles arrested in the arson case were released to the custody of their parents on Nov. 29.

The case is fueling tensions between supporters of the suspects and potential witnesses against them, prosecutors said.

On Monday, O'Callaghan complained for the second time that potential witnesses are being harassed or intimidated.

O'Callaghan said that one particular Palo Verde student is being jostled and bumped in the school hallways by other students who think he offered testimony against those involved in the case.

"I fear for that particular witness," O'Callaghan said. "There is a safety issue."

Last week, O'Callaghan said that the father of one of the suspects was harassing Palo Verde students who had commented publicly about the individuals involved.

Voy warned Shaw that if he or any other suspect in the case is found to be instigating or perpetrating acts against witnesses, they will find themselves back in juvenile detention.

But Voy said there are difficulties in establishing with certainty who did what for what reason.

"Who knows what's going on?" Voy said. "We're talking about high school kids doing what high school kids do."

Shaw might be released today if all of the necessary evaluations have been completed.

Voy is expected to hear requests this afternoon from defense attorneys to close the arson suspects' trial to news cameras.